"Composition of Praise" Coming to All Saints Catholic Church Aug. 19

By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on July 16, 2017

All Saints Catholic Church in Bridgeport will be the site of what might be called the first of a unique two-day music event as the church hosts the ecumenical gospel choir "Composition of Praise" from Washington D.C.

The event begins 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 with a free Ecumenical Music Workshop, open to anyone from any church who is interested.

The gospel group will also sing for some of the liturgies at All Saints that weekend and end with a free concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 20.

The upcoming visiting vocal ensemble is made up of 30 voices and a small instrumental combo and is

led by Samuel "Eddie" Cromwell, director of St. Augustine Catholic Church Music Ministry in Washington DC.

Cromwell is a gifted, inspirational, self-trained classical pianist, composer and organizer who has been part of the gospel music ministry for more than 20 years. He has performed with many nationally known gospel artists, such as the Winans, Darryl Coley, Tramaine Hawkins, Andre Crouch, Richard Smallwood, John P. Kee, Dianne Reeves, Karen Clark-Sheard and Anthony Brown.

In the last eight years, Cromwell has had the distinguished honor of directing performances with his parish choir at St. Augustine Catholic Church on the occasions of Papal Visits to the United States, - including performances for Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. He has led groups that have performed at the White House for President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

The group is represented by various denominations including Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baptist, Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and non-denominational. The workshop offered will explore the ways gospel music can be used in various kinds of worship services, across a variety of Christian denominations. The workshop day will also showcase a selection of gospel hymns, songs and inspired songs, sung from printed music and sung from the heart.

The Sunday concert will feature songs of various genres, including a mix of traditional, modern and contemporary gospel, as well as spirituals. “Oh Happy Day!” is popular crowd favorite, often found in the group’s performances and has become a favorite in its concerts abroad.

In high demand this year, the group will be traveling in September, singing on a cruise ship to various islands, including The Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The musicians have also been invited to minister at Bethel AME Church in Moorestown, NJ doing a fall concert this October. The group will return to perform once again, to what they call their "home away from home" Italy, as they participate in a music festival.

At the top of 2018, the ensemble will appear in Houston, Texas. The appearance at All Saints will be the group’s first in West Virginia.

The appearance is made possible through a grant from the Barbara B. Highland Fund for the Arts.

All Saints will host this musical event in celebration of its 70th year as a parish in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and the 25th anniversary of the church building/parish facility.